🏝️🐚🛩️ “Yesterday’s Tides” (2023) 🛩️🐚🏝️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 24, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN: 0764240013
ISBN-13: 978-0764240010
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“In two world wars, intelligence and counterintelligence, prejudice, and self-sacrifice collide across two generations
In 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same--until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie's inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling's injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the SS officer he's tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.
Decades earlier, in 1914, Englishman Remington Culbreth arrives at the Ocracoke Inn for the summer, never expecting to fall in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper's daughter. But when war breaks out in Europe, their relationship is put in jeopardy and may not survive what lies ahead for them.
As the ripples from the Great War rock Evie and Sterling's lives in World War II, it seems yesterday's tides may sweep them all into danger again today.”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Bethany House (a division of Baker Books), for providing a complimentary review copy through the author’s launch team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
Historical fiction is a genre I tend to have some interesting likes and dislikes with. Technically, most publishers and critics agree on a 50-year rule. Each main genre has sub-genres, and this tends to have quite a few. It can go all the way back to 500 A.D. to WWII. I do tend to favor the Regency Period, some Western, Civil War, early 1900’s, as well as WWII.
Dual-time historical fiction, such as this, is very interesting and tends to pique my curiosity.
A book that combines and overlaps between World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWII) – that’s definitely on my radar.
For some reason, the WWI period is one I don’t really gravitate to. I’ve really only read two single WWI books prior to this.
WWII on the other hand? I do tend to love it, likely because my grandfather (mother’s father) and so many of her uncles served in it. My uncle (mom’s brother) was also born in December 1943, so there is some tangible connection to the time period. As of note, my mother’s mother was born in February 1917.
As a new fan of the author, as well as a member of a previous launch team (her SECRETS OF THE ISLES series), I got to see the cover before most people. As soon as I saw it – it wowed me. Stunning, gorgeous, and that dress! I want a dress like that! Or at best in that design!!
The setting – Ocracoke Island, North Carolina really struck me. I’ve only read one other book, a contemporary fiction one, that was set on Ocracoke. Even before that book, I hadn’t heard of it, and my paternal grandfather’s family originated in Iredell County, North Carolina.
I also did not know about how close German U-Boats were to our Eastern shores. That is pretty alarming.
The plot of this book really stood out due to the WWI/WWII connection, so that was another reason I read it. Though, to be forewarned – there will be some racial tones specific to the time such as “mixed-blood”, N#gr0 (the word is used in the book) heritage, along with the legality of mixed blood marriages, and quite a bit of prejudice towards people like Louisa.
There are also references to child abuse, drunken domestic violence, slavery, and sexual assault. These do not go into detail though and happen prior to the book or off-page.
This is told from four different POVs in the two different times:
1914-1918 (WWI): Louisa (Lu) & Remington (Rem)
1942 (WWII): Evie & Sterling
There are also other characters over the timelines:
1914:
👩🏻🦳 Edith (Remington’s mother, lives in the U.S. Known as a “Dollar Princess”)
🎩 Edgar (Remington’s cousin)
🎩 Sebastian (Remington’s older brother)
🎩 Lord Remington (Remington’s father)
✉️ Celeste (Louisa’s friend)
👵🏻 Grann (Louisa’s grandmother?)
1942:
📃 Gustav (German SS Officer being “hunted” by Sterling)
📃 Davie (Evie’s brother)
🥼 Uncle Garrett (Doctor)
This opens in 1942 with Evie Farrow and she’s running errands on the island of Ocracoke. One person she delivers to is Ms. Marge – who claims there are Germans living in the woods.
This is interesting as that revelation is why Sterling is there – to find one he’s been after – Gustav Mansfeld. However, an explosion on the ship Sterling is traveling on puts that on hold. But, officially – he was NEVER on the ship. Everyone on board is lost.
Sterling is found by Evie who tells him the inn and island has a history of serving Englishmen.
Readers are then whisked back some 28 years to 1914 when Louisa is looking at a postcard from her friend Celeste describing her time in Paris. She then meets Edgar Crenshaw and his cousin Remington Culbreth.
He’s on the island for a bit before having to eventually choose a society approved bride either from Maryland, New York, or London to then fulfill his family obligations. Though it’s pretty clear early on – he likes Louisa, or Lu as he calls her.
As this story alternates between 1942 and 1914, the reader starts seeing the culmination of the “ripples”. How they begin and weave through the different characters.
1914-1918 – It is clear that Remington and Louisa do love each other, and as the war begins to shape up, especially with the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife, Remington has to go home to England. He decides to marry Lu, not knowing her lineage (and not caring either), and promptly heads to sees his mother. Edith definitely reads him the riot act.
He asks his mother to help Louisa “fit in”. Edith agrees, but schemes to get rid of Louisa.
Edith sabotages his marriage with splitting their tickets for their trip to London. However, it almost results in her losing her son. Yet, she plays this off and sends Lu packing, unaware the girl is carrying twins – her grandchildren.
Remington is horrified by his mother’s lies and deception, but refuses to believe that Lu has moved on, he refuses to move on as well. He tries to contact her, but hears nothing.
As usual – Edith eventually has a reason to go see Lu and it’s clear – she’s there for the boy, not the girl, and Lu soon learns of the woman’s treachery. But, this is a good thing because of not only one reunion, but a daring rescue as well.
In 1942 – Once Evie confirms, by way of “Davie” that Sterling is who he says he is, the two team up to find Gustav. Sterling is fairly certain the wayward German he’s tracking is there. There’s proof in Evie’s home despite her having not stayed there in a while. There’s evidence that Gustav is there for someone on Ocracoke. Though the “why” is one Evie cannot answer.
She knows one person who can. But, the woman is shocked beyond belief. It is a reminder of a painful and traumatizing past. A past she was grateful to be rescued from.
As the two events unfold and slowly intertwine, the truth comes to light as well as secrets being revealed. And, as the story wound up to the ending, it was fairly easy to see who was who, as well as the whys. The stunning revelations were dramatic and unexpected.
With all that build up, this was a fairly quick read for me, given the length of the book. I read the first 173 pages in about 2½ hours. The rest of it took me a bit longer due to “life”. However, the last 80-100 pages definitely got going and sped up. The short chapters definitely helped keep the story moving. And, White has a way with describing the scene and location that readers need only close their eyes and they can visualize being there.
Sadly, this is a standalone read. I say that because of the fact, the ending was a bit too abrupt for me. I would’ve liked a bit longer of a conclusion despite this coming in at 392 pages for just the story.
This was at times, slow. But, the way White wove the story together was fascinating. I really didn’t end up with a “favorite” character, but I was intrigued by the way it came together and the relationships between everyone. I will state that a character guide would’ve helped me in keeping everyone together. I did get confused between Grann and Grandma See.
I can state I truly despised Edith (Remington’s mother), who had NO redemption even by the end of the book. She was not remorseful at all for her actions. Though, this was truly an accurate portrayal of some people at that time. Though, Remington’s father certainly made up for the lack of the woman’s personality.
One thing mentioned by a fellow reviewer was the implausible relationships between characters, especially inter-racial marriage. This is a sticky subject. We really don’t know how many people were truly in marriages of this type. There were a few “openly” interracial marriages prior to 1914.
For those who don’t know, the first interracial marriage occurred in 1614 between Pochantas and John Rolfe. As far as “African” interracial marriages – The Quaker Zephaniah Kingsley married (outside the U.S.) a black enslaved woman that he bought in Cuba. He also had three black common-law enslaved wives as well, and ended up freeing all four of them.
The first legal black-white marriage in the United States was that of African American professor William G. Allen and a white student, Mary King, in 1853. They left for England immediately after and did not return.
The United Kingdom has a history of interracial, inter-ethnic marriages dating back to the 15th Century. A lack of anti-miscegenation laws in Britain increased the frequency of such unions.
That assessment of the reviewer is a bit skewed as it depended on where the people where as opposed to how “open” the marriage was. White was corrected with England not having a law such as North Carolina did.
That said …
I loved Evie’s tradition of making jewelry with the sea glass, which is absolutely stunning. And, it was such a beautiful gesture when she made pieces for the Bedfordshire’s sailors’ family.
I did enjoy this book. With elements of intrigue, romance, family conflict, and endearing hope – this emotional and haunting read serves as a reminder of the evils of war, prejudices, and the human spirit to overcome all odds with faith.
Although it was distributed by a primarily Christian publisher, there were not that many references to faith. There will be some who take issue with the Catholic versus “Christian” themes. Catholicism is a branch of Christianity. However, the Catholic themes were, to me – lighter in tone. The characters believed in God as well as the bible. It doesn’t, to me, come off as preachy.
I am excited to see what else the author has planned with her new series. I also have her Dreams of Savannah on my TBR list. That is a Civil War read, and a close second favorite sub-genre of historical fiction.
For those who enjoy WWI and WWII linked together, this book is definitely a good read. And, I really am grateful to have been on the launch team for this truly unique book.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories www.roseannamwhite.com.
You can also find her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoseannaMWhite
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roseannamwhite/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoseannaMWhite
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